Tag Archives: Adroid

We all agree that Apple’s iPhones are iconic. They have three models on the market compared to Android’s plethora of offerings with a multitude of manufacturers including the Samsung Galaxy S II, the HTC Amaze, the Motorola RAZR Droid and the LG Optimus 2X . But, Apple’s offerings have made it one of the most valuable companies in the world and has handed its partners a brilliantly branded and easily sold product. Add great activation figures every quarter for carriers that sell the smartphone and it sounds like a great partnership for both Apple and the carriers.

Alas, the reality paints more of a love-hate relationship. Carriers see the AT&T/iPhone exclusivity model and drool. No competition from unlocked phones, other carriers, and seemingly one-of-a-kind device fits into the highly controlled model carriers prefer. This explains why Sprint was willing to guarantee Apple $15.5 billion over four years to sell the iPhone. Then the mobile carrier posted a $1.3 billion financial loss last quarter. Then there is the bad blood with T-Mobile after failed negotiations over the iPhone which has resulted in the carrier offering iPhone users free microSIM cards to give up their 3G speeds and join their network.

Recently Nomura Securities analyst Mike McCormack told CNNMoney, “A logical conclusion is that the iPhone is not good for wireless carriers […] When we look at the direct and indirect economics that Apple has managed to extract from the carriers, the carrier-level value destruction is quite evident.” This can be seen with Verizon’s drop in EBITDA service margin from 46.4% to 42.2% since adding the smartphone to its arsenal last year. Whether iPad sales and service plans can make up for that remains to be seen. However, they should be able to leverage the equally iconic and addicting Apple accessories.

Alas, for now the iPhone is not going anywhere because of news like Sprint’s: best quarter in the past six years for net subscriber additions which can be attributed to the 720,000 new postpaid subscribers who changed to the carrier to get their hands on the iPhone. And by all accounts, the money should follow with increased price points and the newest iPhone release coming this year.

Verizon Wireless and Motorola have recently announced that the Motorola DEVOUR is currently available for purchase both online and in Verizon Wireless stores for $149.99 after a $100 mail in rebate and a new two year contract. The DEVOUR is the second Android powered smartphone from Motorola to run on Verizon’s 3G network.

The DEVOUR comes equipped with MOTOBLUR, which is Motorola’s unique content delivery service created to make wireless phones more personal and customizable. While DEVOUR customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk or Nationwide Talk & Text plan as well as an Email and Web for Smartphone plan there are several different plans from which to choose. Also, the rebate will come in the form of a debit card and can be used anywhere debit cards are accepted and can be treated as cash.

Here are some of the key features that will almost certainly make the Motorola DEVOUR one of the hottest smartphones on the market.

Touch-sensitive navigation pad
3.1” capacitive touch screen
Pre-loaded applications such as Gmail, Google Talk™, YouTube™, Google Search™ and Google Maps™ with Google Maps Navigation.
Android Market™ gives users access to more than 20,000 applications.
Happenings Widget – MOTOBLUR automatically pushes status updates, wall posts and photo updates from popular social networking sites to the Happenings Widget on the home screen. Customers can flick through the latest updates and fire back responses using the slide-out full QWERTY keyboard.
Universal Inbox – MOTOBLUR gathers texts, social network messages and e-mails into one home screen widget for quick response.
Back-Up and Security – Contacts, log-in information, home screen customizations, e-mail and social network messages are backed up automatically on the secure MOTOBLUR portal. The portal also allows customers to use the phone’s fully integrated aGPS to help locate the phone if misplaced. Remote wipe easily clears information from a lost device.
8 GB microSD™ card pre-installed
Bluetooth® profiles supported: A2DP, HID, HSP, HFP, AVRCP and GAP

By the looks of the Motorola DEVOUR is set to become one of the best Android phones on the market to date and should be quite popular amongst mobile device consumers.